Monday, May 19, 2014

According to Andrew Jackson, these were his mother’s last words to him. They comprise a pretty straightforward definition of honor.

Andrew, if I should not see you again, I wish you to remember and
treasure up some things I have already said to you: in this world you
will have to make your own way. To do that you must have friends. You
can make friends by being honest, and you can keep them by being
steadfast. You must keep in mind that friends worth having will in the
long run expect as much from you as they give to you. To forget an
obligation or be ungrateful for a kindness is a base crime-not merely a
fault or a sin, but an actual crime. Men guilty of it sooner or later
must suffer the penalty. In personal conduct be always polite but never
obsequious. None will respect you more than you respect yourself. Avoid
quarrels as long as you can without yielding to imposition. But sustain
your manhood always. Never bring a suit in law for assault and battery
or for defamation. The law affords no remedy for such outrages that can
satisfy the feelings of a true man. Never wound the feelings of others.
Never brook wanton outrage upon your own feelings. If you ever have to
vindicate your feelings or defend your honor, do it calmly. If angry at
first, wait until your wrath cools before you proceed.